24, October 2017, Colombo: The United Nations and the Ministry of Education, in partnership with Hatton National Bank launched the ‘SDG Action Campaign’ at a press conference held in Colombo today.

In 2015, countries adopted a set of Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved by 2030.

For the goals to be reached, everyone needs to do their part: governments, the private sector, civil society and people.

Hence this year, in celebration of the 72nd UN Day, the United Nations in Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education in partnership with Hatton National Bank and Roar media, have come together to launch the ‘SDG Action Campaign’ – a campaign to educate and encourage students from across the country to design and implement an SDG based project in their communities.

Addressing the media, Minister of Education, Government of Sri Lanka, Hon. Akila Viraj Kariyawasam stated that “Education is the key that will allow many other SDGs to be achieved, this campaign will educate and empower the youth of Sri Lanka to help the country progress.”

Highlighting the importance of youth in achieving the 2030 Development Agenda, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Sri Lanka, Ms. Una McCauley stated, “We need Sri Lanka’s youth to be actively engaged as sustainable development leaders if we are to achieve the SDGs by 2030.”

This campaign will support student-led initiatives towards achieving the SDGs in Sri Lanka by educating students on the SDGs, calling for project proposals and empowering 25 selected school projects across the island with seed funding and mentoring to kick start their sustainability projects.

Speaking about the partnership and on the funding of this campaign, Chief Operating Officer of Hatton National Bank, Mr. Dilshan Rodrigo, stated “HNB has played a vital role in inculcating a savings habit among children over the years and has over 200 active school units around the country. HNB’s strategy is aligned with the national vision to improve banking penetration, develop the rural / green economy whilst reducing the informal sector. To this end we have been forerunner in driving Digital Banking, Green Buildings, Paperless offices congruent with UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. We are delighted to be associated with this project as the exclusive banking partner.”

This campaign, will mobilize Sri Lanka’s youth to advocate and work towards the SDGs and in doing so, inspire their communities to work in partnership to build our future and achieve the SDGs for people, planet and prosperity in Sri Lanka.